Feeding device of filling yarn used for shuttleless loom

ABSTRACT

A feeding device of filling yarns disposed to a shuttle box of a pirnless shuttle loom having at least one filling yarn supply source and shuttle having yarn-catching means. A yarn guide arm introduces the filling yarn from the supply source into a cavity of the shuttle in response to the rearward pivotation of a shuttle swell caused by the presence of the shuttle in the shuttle box while keeping the filling yarn out of the shuttle box when the shuttle is absent in the shuttle box. The feeding device is usable with a dobby or Jacquard mechanism of the loom. The yarn guide arm is put in an operable position intermittently and periodically according to signals transmitted mechanically, hydrostatically or electromagnetically from such mechanism.

United States Patent FEEDING DEVICE 0F FILLING YARN USED FOR SHUTTLELESS LOOM 11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 139/125, 139/ l 22 Int. Cl D03d 47/34, D03d 47/3 8 Field of Search 139/122W,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,564,603 12/1925 Martin 139/126 2,652,860 9/1953 Barzaghi 139/126 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,348,232 11/1963 France 139/125 Primary Examiner-Henry S. Jaudon Attorneys-Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato ABSTRACT: A feeding device of filling yarns disposed to a shuttle box of a pirnless shuttle loom having at least one filling yarn supply source and shuttle having yam-catching means. A yarn guide arm introduces the filling yarn from the supply source into a cavity of the shuttle in response to the rearward pivotation of a shuttle swell caused by the presence of the shuttle in the shuttle box while keeping the filling yarn out of the shuttle box when the shuttle is absent in the shuttle box.

The feeding device is usable with a dobby or Jacquard mechanism of the loom. The yarn guide arm is put in an operable position intermittently and periodically according to signals transmitted mechanically, hydrostatically or electromagnetically from such mechanism.

FEEDING DEVICE F FILLING YARN USED FOR SIIU'ITLELESS LOOM The present invention relates to an improved feeding device of filling yarn used in a pirnless shuttle loom having at least one filling yarn supply source and a pimless shuttle having a yarn catching means such as a yarn hook or gripper disposed therein, more particularly relates to a feeding device for feeding at least one kind of filling yarn intermittently and periodically from the respective filling yarn supply source to the pirnv 1 less shuttle in accordance with the pivotal movementof a However, this pimless shuttle is different from the conventional type of shuttle in that it does .not hold. in it a mass of filling yarn suchas a filling cop but is supplied thefilling yarn from the filling yarn supply source.

As is well known, in weaving a cloth on a loom using the above-described type of pirnless shuttle, it is necessary to feed the yarn positively from the filling yarn supply source to the shuttle received in the shuttle box of the loom, thereby the filling yarn supplied is caught by the yarnfcatching' meansof theshuttle when the shuttle leaves theshuttle box. As in hereinafter explained in detail, the yarn extends in between the given supply source and a selvage of the woven cloth. At a moment slightly before the picking motion, the extending yarn path is deviated, by the'deviceof the present invention, into a position capable of being caught by the yai'n-catchingmeans of the pirnless shuttle; During the flight of the shuttle, theyam is drawn out of the yarnsupply source in the form of anelongatedloop being pulled by the yarn-catching meansof the flying shuttle and inserted into the warp shed. However, in this type of filling yarn-feeding; operation, there are two fundamental requirements for the arrangement and the operation of the mechanism. The first requirement is that the feeding operation should be completed without obstructing the free passage of the shuttle into'and out from the shuttle box for its reciprocating movement. For this reason, the feeding operation of the filling yarnto the shuttle should be completedonly within a period during which the shuttle is stationary within the shuttle box. Thesecond. requirement, is that thisfeeding operation should be' repeated according to an accurately designed. sequence during each crank cycle. For instance, when only one. shuttle carries out the insertion of the filling yarn by introducing the filling yarns alternately from two filling yarn supply sources located. on both sides of the loom, it is necessary to have the above-described feeding operation; performed on both sides of the loomonce in two crank cycles, respectively.

Furthermore incase' more than two kinds of different yarns, for example-yarns-of difierent colors, areusedin weaving acloth in a predetermined sequence,attachmentssuch as a dobby or Jacquard'mechanism' is generally utilized; In this connection, the above-described feeding operation of the filling yarn must be-performed'periodically in accordancenot only with the crank cycleof the loombut also with the additional signals mechanically, hydrostatically or electromagneticallytransmitted from those-mechanism.

Aprincipal object of the presentinvention is toprovide'an' improved feeding deviceof filling yarn used in apirnless'shuttle loom' having at least 'one filling yarnsupply source anda pirnless shuttle having a yam-catching'means'such as a yarn hook or gripper therein- Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide an improved feeding device of filling yarn usedin combination'with' a pirnless shuttle loom whichcarriesout feeding yarn to the into and out from the shuttle box.

pirnless shuttle without. obstructing the free: passage: thereof Still Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved feeding device of filling yarn used in combination with a pirnless shuttle loom which carries out feeding of filling yarn from the filling yarn supply sourceinto the pirnless shuttle periodically and repeatedly inan accurately designed sequence during each crank cycle of the loom. Stillanother object of the present invention is to provide an improved feeding device of filling yam used in combination with a pirnless shuttle loom provided with a dobby or Jacquard mechanism which carries out selective feeding of more than two kinds of different yams, for example yarns of different colours, form the respective supply sources tothe pirnless shuttle periodi- Jcally and repeatedly in an accuratelydesigned sequence in accordance not only with the crank cycle of the loom but also with the additional signals mechanically hydrostatically or electromagnetically transmitted from the dobby or Jacquard mechanism.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved feeding device of filling yarn used in combinationwith a pirnless shuttle loom which is of relatively simple construction and provided with: considerable interchangeability and conversibility. A slight difference in the dimensions of the loom or the attachments requires only a slight adjustment of the mechanical arrangement of the device.

A stillfurther object of the present invention is to'provide animproved feeding device of fillingyam used in combination with a pirnless shuttle loom which assures smooth supply and insertion of filling yarn withgless operational troubles such as yarn breakages or missing of yarn supply, thus leading to an increase in the weaving efficiency and enhancement of the quality of the textile products obtained,

In order to-attain the above-described objects of the invention, the feeding device of the present invention preferably comprisesa sensing partresponsive to a pivotal movement of the swellof the shuttle box of the loom-caused by the presence or absence of the shuttle within the shuttle box and a yarn guide part responsive to the movement of the sensing part which puts and takes periodically the filling yarn into and out from the position capable of being caught by the yarn catching means of the shuttle. In case the loom is provided:

with a dobby or Jacquard mechanism, the feeding device further comprises a selecting. part responsive to the signal mechanically; hydrostaticallyor electromagnetically transmittedfrom thosemechanism which put the yam guide arm" intoanoperable' position and-into a standby positiomthereby' the yarn guide armis responsive. tothe movement of the" sensing part when put into the operable position while irresponsive-to the movement of the sensing'part when put into the'standby position. i

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the ensuing description with referenceto'the accompanying drawings to which, however; thescope of the invention is in no way limited;

FIG. 1' is a plan view of an embodiment of the feeding: device of the present invention disposedtp one of: the pair of shuttle boxes in a condition. that thepirnless shuttle is absent from theshuttlebox;

FIG. 2 is a sectional=side view of the feeding device sliown in FIG; l'taken-along the'lineI-Z'in-FIGL 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan'view'of the" feeding device shown in F [G1 I} in a conditionthat thepirnless-shuttle is present in=theshuttle box;

FIG. 4 is a sectional'side view of the feeding device shown ing FIG. 3 taken along theline4-4 in FIG. 3;v

shuttle'is present'inthe shuttle box;

FIGS. 6A and6B areexplanatory side views, partly in-sec-- tion, of the device'shownin FIG. 5, respectively;v

FlGl.7 is a perspective view ofa dobby mechanism in'corporating the feeding device-of the present invention; and- FIG'. 8-isaplan'view of a pair'of cooperating'shuttle boxes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 8, an embodiment of the feeding device of the present invention disposed to a shuttle box is shown. Throughout the drawings, parts designated with a prime are identical to similarly numbered parts without the prime which are positioned on the opposite side of the loom. In the present embodiment, the mechanical construction of the shuttle box located at the end portion of the lay 1 is almost the same as that of the shuttle box of the conventional weaving loom, that is, the shuttle box is provided with, for the purpose of stable receipt of the reciprocating pirnless shuttle, a front box guard 2 secured on the lay 1 by a pair of set bolts 30 and 3b, a shuttle top guard 4 firmly mounted on a stud 6 secured to the lay 1, and a shuttle-actuated means comprising a shuttle swell 7 pivotably disposed to a stud 6 at its outward end and a swell spring 8 secured near the outward end of the lay l at its outward end in such a manner that the inner end of the swell spring 8 always contacts and presses the shuttle swell 7 forwardly and inwardly to the shuttle box. In the case of the present embodiment, the inner end portion of the shuttle swell 7 is rearwardly curved as shown in the drawing, however a straight shuttle swell 7 is also employable for the purpose of the present invention. The shuttle box of the present embodiment is also provided therein with a picker 9 for receiving the pirnless shuttle and a picking stick 11 for actuating the reciprocating movement of the pirnless shuttle. In the abovedescribed mechanical construction of the shuttle box, when the pirnless shuttle 12 is absent from the shuttle box, the shuttle swell 7 is placed in a forwardly pivoted position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and its inner end portion extends inwardly to the shuttle box. However, when the shuttle 12 comes into the shuttle box and is received by the picker 9, the shuttle swell 7 pivots backwardly and is placed in a backwardly pivoted position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 by the contacting sidewall of the shuttle l2 overcoming the above-described pressing force provided by the swell spring 8. As already described, the shuttle 12 is provided with a longitudinal cavity 13 and a yarncatching means such as a yarn hook or gripper 14 is disposed therein. In the present embodiment, the shuttle 12 is provided with two hooks 14a and 14b secured on the inside wall of the shuttle 12.

In combination with the above-described mechanical arrangement of the shuttle box, the feeding device or threadpositioning means of the present invention comprises a supporting bracket 16 secured to the shuttle top guard 4 by a set bolt 17. However, the supporting bracket 16 may be secured to another frame of the shuttle box as long as it is stationary with respect to the lay 1.

A pivotal member 18 is pivotably disposed to the supporting bracket 16 with an intervening distance in such a manner that the pivotal axis of the pivotal member 18 extends outwardly along the longitudinal direction of the lay 1. From this pivotal member 18, a yarn guide arm 19 extends forwardly and downwardly and is provided with a yarn guide hole 21 at a forward and downward end thereof. However, the yarn guide arm 19 may be provided with a different type of yarn guide such as a yarn guide hook. A follower arm 22 also extends rea'rwardly and downwardly from the pivotal member 18. In the intervening space between the supporting bracket 16 and the pivotal member 18, a helical spring is disposed in such a manner that one end of the spring 15 is secured to the outward surface of the supporting bracket 16 and another end is hooked to the follower arm 22, thereby always urging the yarn guide arm 19 in clockwise direction in FIG. 2 around the pivotal axis of the pivotal member 18. In this connection, the clockwise turning torque provided by a spring 15 is required not to exceed the counterclockwise turning torque provided by the forward pivotal movement of the shuttle swell 7 encouraged by the swell spring 8 due to absence of the pirnless shuttle 12 from the shuttle box. From an inner end of the shuttle swell 7 of the shuttle-actuated means and comprising a component thereof is a transmitting bar 24 which extends inwardly along the longitudinal direction of the lay 1 and its inner ends contacts the rear side of the follower arm 22 as shown in FIG. 2. However, in case it is required to make the movement of the follower arm 22 more faithfully responsive to the displacement of the shuttle swell 7 even in case of highspeed running of the loom, that is high speed reciprocating movement of the shuttle 12, it is preferable to provide the follower arm 22 with a longitudinal aperture formed through a downward rear end portion thereof and make the inner end of the transmitting bar 24 be inserted slidably into the longitudinal aperture.

A filling yarn 26 to be inserted into the warp shed by the shuttle 12 is advanced from a filling yarn supply source (not shown) to the shuttle box through a suitable know type gripper mechanism 27 in any known manner. The mechanism is located upstream of the shuttle box and grips the filling yarn 26 intermittently and periodically at a given point in accordance with the crank cycle of the loom. The filling yarn 26 thus advanced is connected to the woven cloth passing through the yarn guide hole 21 of the yarn guide arm 19 as shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 3.

In the above-described combined mechanical arrangement of the feeding device and its related shuttle box parts, the combined operation of the feeding device of the present invention is as hereinafter described.

As is already described in the explanation of the shuttle box, when the shuttle 12 is absent from the shuttle box, the shuttle swell 7 is placed in the forwardly pivoted position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and its inner end extends inwardly to the shuttle box. Then the transmitting bar 24, which is secured to the inner end of the shuttle swell 7, moves forwardly together with the shuttle swell 7. By this forward movement of the transmitting bar 24, the follower arm 22 is turned in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing and, accordingly, the pivotal member 18 is also pivoted in the counterclockwise direction around the pivotal axis thereof as shown in FIG. 2. This counterclockwise pivotal movement of the pivotal member 18 is further accompanied by the upward turning of the yarn guide arm 19 and the forward end of the yarn guide arm 19, through which a yarn guide hole 21 for holding the filling yarn 26 is formed, is lifted by this upward turning of the yarn guide arm 19. As a result, the filling yarn 26 is positioned out of the passageway of the shuttle 12 to be received in the shuttle box. As is well known, when the shuttle 12 is absent from the shuttle box, the shuttle swell 7 is always kept in the forwardly pivoted position by the pressing force provided by the swell spring 8 as shown in FIG. 1. Consequently, the filling yarn 26 is always kept in the lifted position outside of the shuttle box as shown in FIG. 2 when the shuttle 12 is absent from the shuttle box.

When the shuttle 12 comes into the shuttle box and is received by the picker 9, the sidewall of the shuttle l2 pushes the shuttle swell 7 backwardly by overcoming the pressing force provided by the swell spring 8, and the shuttle swell 7 is placed in the backwardly pivoted position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Then the transmitting bar 24 is moved backwardly together with the shuttle swell 7. By this backward movement of the transmitting bar 24, the follower arm 22 is turned in the clockwise direction and, accordingly, the pivotal member 18 is also pivoted into the clockwise direction around the pivotal axis thereof as shown in FIG. 4. This clockwise pivotal movement of the pivotal member 18 is further accompanied by the downward turning of the yarn guide arm 19 and the forward end of the yarn guide arm 19 is lowered by this downward turning of the yarn guide arm 19. As a result, the filling yarn 26 is brought into the longitudinal cavity 13 of the shuttle 12 as shown in FIG. 4. At the time of the picking motion, the shuttle 12 flies inwardly along the lay 1 and the hook 14a hooks the filling yarn 26 on its path downstream of the yarn guide hole 21 of the yarn guide arm 19 to carry the filling yarn together with the shuttle 12 in the form of an elongated loop. After the shuttle 12 leaves the shuttle box completely, the mechanical condition of the feeding device and the related shuttle box parts return to their original condition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 shows the device in a first position wherein the thread-guide arm 19 is raised out of the path of flight of the shuttle and FIG. 4 shows the device in a second position wherein the thread-guide arm 19 is lowered into the shuttle flight path. I

In the above-described mechanical arrangement, the yarn guide arm 19 must be so designed that the forward end of the yarn guide arm 19 does not contact the hook 140 of the shuttle 12 at its lowest position shown in FIG. 4 when the shuttle 12 is driven out of the shuttle box. In other words, the hooking point of the filling yarn 26 by the hook 14 a should be positioned downstream of the yarn guide hole 21 of the yarn guide arm 19. Moreover, the relative mechanical arrangement of the parts should be designed in such-a manner that the passage of the shuttle12 into and out of the shuttle box should not be obstructed by the presence of the yarn guide arm 19.

In case of this referred embodiment, the inward end portion of. the shuttle swell 7 isrearwardly curved as is clearly shown in FIG. 1. This means that, when the shuttle 12 arrives in the entrance path of the shuttle box, it does not yet come in contact with the shuttle swell 7, that is, the yarn guide arm 19 is still retained in its lifted position. So, at this stage, the yarn guide am 19 does not contact the forward end portion, which is solid, of the advancing shuttle 12. About the time that the forward end portionof the shuttle 12 comes in contact with the shuttle swell 7, the cavity 13 of the shuttle l2 arrives at a positionof the yarn guide arm 19 and a further advancement of the shuttle 12 causes descending of the forward end of the yarn guide arm 19 into the cavity 13 as is already explained. On the contrary, when the shuttle 12 goes out of the shuttle box,-the rear end portion of the shuttle. 12 moves away from contact with the shuttleswell 7 and this causes ascending of the forward end of the yarn guide arm l9 just before the rear end portion, which is solid, of the shuttle 12 reaches the position of the yarn guide arm 19. Thus,- the movement of the shuttle 12 is free from contact with the yarn guide arm .19 in its descending position. v

Another embodiment of the feeding device of the'present invention. is shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 63, wherein the mechanical arrangement of the shuttlebox is almost the same as that of the preceding embodiment, In case of the present embodiment, the loom is provided with a dobby or Jacquard mechanism in the drawing, as shown in FIG. 7, and two different types of filling yarns 28a and 28b, for example yarns of different colors, are required to be inserted into the warp shed in an accurately designed regular sequence by the pimless shuttle 12. In order to utilize the mechanism of the feeding device of the preceding embodiment for this purpose, it is fundamental requirement that only the filling yarn to be inserted should be selectively brought into the cavity 13 of the shuttle 12 when the shuttle 12 is received within the shuttle box in order to be hooked by the hook 14a at the time of picking motion while the remaining yarn should be maintained in a standby position.

For this purpose, the feeding device of the present embodiment comprises a supporting bracket 29 fixed to the back side of the lay 1 and extending backwardly and upwardly. However, the supporting bracket 29 may be secured to another frame of the shuttle box such as the shuttle top guard 4 as long as it is stationary with respect to the lay l. A front shaft 31 extends outwardly from the stern of the supporting bracket 29 along a longitudinal direction ofthe lay l. A back shaft 32 also extends outwardly from the backward top end of the supporting bracket 29 in a substantially parallel condition with respect to the front shaft 31 with an adequate intervening distance between the two.

The front shaft 31 is provided with a pair of bosses 33a, 33b rotatably mounted thereon, a pair of collars 34a, 34b firmly mounted thereon and a pair of springs 36a, 36b disposed thereon between the collar 34a and the boss 33a or the collar 34b and the boss 33b, respectively, insuch a manner that the pair of springs 36a, 36b tend to turn the bosses 33a, 33b in the clockwise direction in FIG. 6A or 68 around the axis of the front shaft.

The bosses 33a and 33b are provided with their respective yam guide arms 37a and 37b extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom. The yarn guide arms 37a and 37b are provided with yarn guide holes 38a and 38!; at the forward and downward ends thereof, respectively. However, the yarn guide arms 37a and 37b may be provided withdifferent type of yarn guides such as yarn guide hooks. The bosses 33a and 33b are also respectively provided with followerarms 39a and 39b extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom,

The back shaft 32 is provided with a pair of selector arms 41a and 41b rotatably mounted thereon at their middle boss portions and a pair of collars 42a and 42b firmly disposed thereon in order to define the lateral position of the selector arms 41a, 41b with respect to the assemblies disposed on the front shaft 31 such as the yarn guide arms 37a and 37b. The lateral position of the selector arms 41a and 41b can easily be adjusted along the back shaft 32 by changing the setting position of the collars 42aand 42b,respectively. The front ends of the selector anns 41a and 41b are provided with lateral projections 43a and 43b, respectively, in such a manner that the projections 43a and 43b extend under the yarn guide arms 37a and 37b of the front shaft 31, respectively, as shown in the drawing. The rear ends of the selector arms 41a and 41b are rotatably linked to transmitting rods 44a and 44b, respectively, and the transmitting rods 44a and 44b are connected mechanically, hydrostatically or electromagnetically to the dobby or Jacquard mechanism of the loom, respectively. These mechanisms are not shown in the drawing because they are not within the scope of the invention. A transmitting bar 46 extends inwardly from an inner end of the shuttle swell 7 of the shuttle box and is related to a downward rear end portions of the follower arms 39a and 39b of the front shaft 31 in such a manner that the inner end portion of the transmitting bar 46 faces the rear side of the downward rear end portion of the fol- 7 lower arms 39a and 39b. For the purpose of restricting the clockwise turning of the yarn guide arms 37a and 37b together with the bosses 33a and 33b caused by the springs 36a and 36b, a bar 47 extends outwardly from the outside stem of the bracket 29 and contacts the rear. side of the follower arms 3% or 39b. In other words, the bar 47 is effective for defining the lowest turned position of the yarn guide arms 37a and 37b as is predetermined.

The filling yarns 28a and 28b to be inserted into the warp shed by the shuttle 12 are advanced from the corresponding filling yarn supply sources (not shown) to the shuttle box through suitable corresponding gripper mechanisms 48a and 48b in a manner same with the preceding embodiment, they are located upstream of the shuttle box and grip the corresponding filling yarns 28a and 28b intermittently and periodically at given points in accordance with the crankcycle of the loom. The filling yarns 28a and 28b thus advanced are connected to the woven cloth passing through the corresponding yarn guide holes 38a and 38b of the yarn guide arms 37a and 37b as shown in detail in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B.

The combined operation of the feeding device of the present invention in the above-described combined mechanical arrangement of the feeding device'and its related shuttle box parts is as hereinafter described.

For the convenience of explanation, let us first assume that the operating signal for the filling yarn 28a is transmitted from the dobby or Jacquard mechanism of the loom and, in this condition, the transmitting rod 44a is lifted and the transmitting rod 44b is lowered as shown in FIG. 6A. In other words, the fillingyarn 28a is put in a sequence wherein thein sertion of the filling yarn is carried out while the filling yarn 28bis put in a sequence wherein insertion'of the filling-yarn is not carried out. In this condition, the selector arm .410 is turned in the clockwise direction around the axis of the-back shaft 32 by the lifting of the transmitting rod 44a. With this turning of the selector ar-m 41a, the lateral projection 43a secured to the front end of the selector arm 41a is' lowered and, accordingly, the yarn guide arm 37a is also turned in=the clockwise direction around the axis of the front shaft '31on account of the turning torque provided by the spring 36a disposed on the front shaft 31. By this clockwise turning, the boss 33a is put in the operable position and the follower arm 39:: is put in a condition responsive to the forward and rearward displacement of the shuttle swell 7 transmitted by the transmitting bar 46. As is described in detail in the explanation of the foregoing embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the boss 33a is put in the first subpivotal position and the yarn guide arm 37a is put in the position shown with full lines in FIG. 6A when the shuttle 12 is present in the shuttle box while it is put in the second subpivotal position and the yarn guide arm 37a is put in the position shown with dash-and-dot lines in FIG. 6A when the shuttle 12 is absent from the shuttle box.

On the other hand, in this condition, the selector arm 41b is turned in the counterclockwise direction around the axis of the back shaft 32 by the lowering of the transmitting rod 44b. With this turning of the selector arm 41b, the lateral projection 43b secured to the front end of the selector arm 41b is lifted and, accordingly, the yarn guide arm 37b is also turned in the counterclockwise direction around the axis of the front shaft 31 by overcoming the turning torque provided by the spring 3617 disposed on the front shaft 31. By this counterclockwise turning, the boss 33b is put in the standby position and the follower arm 3% is put in a position forwardly outside from the forward and rearward moving area of the transmitting bar 46 and become irresponsive to the forward or rearward displacement of the shuttle swell 7 transmitted by the transmitting bar 46. In this connection, the clockwise turning torque provided by the springs 36a and 36b is required not to exceed the counterclockwise turning torque provided by the forward pivotal movement of the shuttle swell 7 encouraged by the swell spring 8 when the shuttle 12 is absent from the shuttle box.

Next, when the operating signal for the filling yarn 28b is transmitted from the dobby or Jacquard mechanism of the loom, the situation is as shown in FIG. 6B. ln this condition, the boss 33a is put in the standby position by the counterclockwise turning of the selector arm 41a caused by the lowering of the transmitted rod 44a and the follower arm 39a is put in a condition irresponsive to the forward and rearward displacement of the shuttle swell 7 transmitted by the transmitting bar 46.

On the contrary, the boss 33b is put in the operable position by the clockwise turning of the selector arm 41b caused by the lifting of the transmitting rod 44b and the follower arm 39b is put in a condition responsive to the forward and rearward displacement of the shuttle swell 7 transmitted by the transmitting bar 46. In this operable position, the boss 33b is put in the first subpivotal position and the yarn guide arm 37b is put in the position shown with full lines in FIG. 68 when the shuttle 12 is present in the shuttle box while it is wedged in the second subpivotal position and the yarn guide arm 37b is placed in the position shown with dash-and-dot lines in FIG. 68 when the inserting carrier 12 is absent from the shuttle box.

Various modifications of the feeding device of the present invention can be obtained by increasing the number of different types of filling yarns to be inserted into the warp sheds in the foregoing embodiment. One modification comprises an increase in the number of the members disposed on the front shaft 31 and the corresponding members disposed on the back shaft 32.

On the contrary, this embodiment can also be used for the purpose of the first embodiment. In this a case, the connection of the transmitting rods 44a, 44b to the dobby or Jacquard mechanism of the loom is detached, and only the transmitting rod 44a is always kept in the lifted position while the remaining transmitting rods 44b are always kept in the lowered position. Thus, only the boss 33a is always wedged in the operable position and only the insertion of the filling yarn 28a is carried out in the same manner as in case of the first embodiment.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with certain embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a pirnless shuttle loom having at least one filling yarn supply source, a pirnless shuttle catching means on said pirnless shuttle for carrying out insertion of filling yarns into warp sheds in a reciprocating manner by catching said filling yarn, a pair of shuttle boxes having respective shuttle swells, an improved feeding device of filling yarn comprising, in combination, a supporting bracket fixed to a frame of said shuttle box, a pivotal member pivotably disposed to said supporting bracket, a yarn guide arm forwardly and downwardly extending from said pivotal member and provided with a yarn guide at a forward and downward end thereof, a follower arm rearwardly and downwardly extending from said pivotal member and a transmitting bar extending from an inner end of said shuttle swell and related to a downward rear end portion of said follower arm at an inner end thereof; whereby said pivotal member being put in a first pivotal position to turn said yarn guide arm downwardly around a pivotal axis of said pivotal member by a rearward displacement of said shuttle swell caused by presence of said pirnless shuttle within said shuttle box and put in a second pivotal position to turn said yarn guide arm upwardly around said pivotal axis of said pivotal member by a forward displacement of said shuttle swell caused by absence of said pirnless shuttle within said shuttle box. and said filling yarn being hooked or gripped by said catching means of said pirnless shuttle at a given point on its path downstream of said yarn guide of said yarn guide arm.

2. An improved feeding device according to claim I, wherein an inner and portion of said shuttle swell is curved rearwardly whereby a forward end portion of said advancing pirnless shuttle comes in contact with said shuttle swell when a cavity of said pirnless shuttle comes to a position of said yarn guide arm.

3. An improved feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring disposed within a space between said supporting bracket and said pivotal member, one end of said spring being secured to said supporting bracket and another end of said spring being hooked to said follower arm in such a manner that said spring tends to turn said yarn guide am forwardly and downwardly around said pivotal axis of said pivotal member.

4. An improved feeding device according to claim 1, wherein said follower arm is provided with a longitudinal aperture formed through a downward rear end portion thereof and said inner end of said transmitting bar is slidably inserted in said aperture of said follower arm.

5. In a shuttleless loom having a plurality of yarn supply sources, a dobby or Jacquard mechanism and a pirnless shuttle for carrying out insertion of filling yarns into warp sheds in a reciprocating manner by catching said filling yarn with yarn catching means disposed therein and a pair of shuttle boxes having respective shuttle swells, an improved feeding device of filling yarns comprising in combination, a supporting bracket fixed to a frame of said shuttle box, a front shaft extending outwardly from said supporting bracket, a back shaft extending outwardly from said supporting bracket in substantially parallel condition with said front shaft with an adequate intervening distance between said two, a plurality of bosses tumably mounted on said front shaft, a plurality of yarn guide arms forwardly and downwardly extending from said plurality of bosses and provided with a yarn guide at a forward and downward end thereof respectively, a plurality of springs disposed on said front shaft, a plurality of follower arms rearwardly and downwardly extending from said plurality of bosses respectively, a transmitting bar extending from an inner end of a shuttle swell of said shuttle box and related to a rearward and downward end portion of said plurality of follower arms, a plurality of selector arms turnably mounted on said back shaft, a plurality of transmitting rods linked to rear ends of said plurality of selector arms and connected to said dobby or Jacquard mechanism of said loom respectively and a plurality ofprojections laterally extending under said corresponding yarn guide arms from forward ends of said plurality of selector arms respectively; whereby saidselector arm intermittently andperiodically putting said corresponding boss in an operable pivotal position overcoming turning torque given by said spring in accordance with corresponding signals transmitted from said dobby of Jacquard mechanism by said corresponding transmitting rod, and, in said operable pivotal position, said box being put in a first subpivotal position to turn said yarn guide arm downwardly around an axis of said bosses by a rearward displacement of said shuttle swell caused by presence of said pimless shuttle within said shuttle box and put in a second subpivotal position to turn said yam guide arm upwardly around said axis of said boss by a forward displacement of said shuttle swell caused by absence of said pimless shuttle within said shuttle box. a

6. An improved feeding device according to claim 5, wherein an inner end portion of said shuttle swell is curved rearwardly whereby a forward end portion of said advancing pimless shuttle comes in contact with said shuttle swell when a cavity of said pimless shuttle comes to a position of said yarn guide arm. 7

7. An improved feeding device according to claim 5, further comprising a bar extending outwardly from an outside stem of said supporting bracket and contacting rear sides of said follower arms, thereby excessive tuming of said yarn guide arms together with said bosses being prevented.

8. A shuttle-actuated device for positioning a filling thread a comprising; thread-positioning means mounted for movement to a first position wherein a filling thread is positioned out of the path of flight of a shuttle and to a second position wherein said filling thread is positioned to be caught by said shuttle during flight thereof; and shuttle-actuated means actuated by said shuttle during the flight thereof for effecting movement of said thread-positioning means to said second position.

9. A device according to claim 8; wherein said thread-positioning means comprises a pivotally mounted thread guide arm movable to position said filling thread in said first and second positions; and biasing means continuously biasing said thread-guide arm into contact with said shuttle-actuated means for movement thereby.

10. A device according to claim 8; wherein said shuttle-actuated means comprises a pivotally mounted lever in contact with said thread-positioning means; biasing means for biasing said lever in a first direction to effect movement of said thread-positioning means to said first position when said shuttle-actuated means is not actuated; and means pivotally mounting said lever in said path of flight of said shuttle for pivotal movement in a second direction to effect movement of said thread-positioning means to said second position in response to movement of said shuttle during the flight thereof.

11. A device according to claim 10; wherein said threadpositioning means comprises a pivotally mounted thread guide arm movable to position said filling thread in said first and second positions; and means continuously biasing said thread guide arm into contact with said pivotally mounted lever for movement thereby. 

1. In a pirnless shuttle loom having at least one filling yarn supply source, a pirnless shuttle catching means on said pirnless shuttle for carrying out insertion of filling yarns into warp sheds in a reciprocating manner by catching said filling yarn, a pair of shuttle boxes having respective shuttle swells, an improved feeding device of filling yarn comprising, in combination, a supporting bracket fixed to a frame of said shuttle box, a pivotal member pivotably disposed to said supporting bracket, a yarn guide arm forwardly and downwardly extending from said pivotal member and provided with a yarn guide at a forward and downward end thereof, a follower arm rearwardly and downwardly extending from said pivotal member and a transmitting bar extending from an inner end of said shuttle swell and related to a downward rear end portion of said follower arm at an inner end thereof; whereby said pivotal member being put in a first pivotal position to turn said yarn guide arm downwardly around a pivotal axis of said pivotal member by a rearward displacement of said shuttle swell caused by presence of said pirnless shuttle within said shuttle box and put in a second pivotal position to turn said yarn guide arm upwardly around said pivotal axis of said pivotal member by a forward displacement of said shuttle swell caused by absence of said pirnless shuttle within said shuttle box, and said filling yarn being hooked or gripped by said catching means of said pirnless shuttle at a given point on its path downstream of said yarn guide of said yarn guide arm.
 2. An improved feeding device according to claim 1, wherein an inner and portion of said shuttle swell is curved rearwardly whereby a forward end portion of said advancing pirnless shuttle comes in contact with said shuttle swell when a cavity of said pirnless shuttle comes to a position of said yarn guide arm.
 3. An improved feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring disposed within a space between said supporting bracket and said pivotal member, one end of said spring being secured to said supporting bracket and another end of said spring being hooked to said follower arm in such a manner that said spring tends to turn said yarn guide arm forwardly and downwardly around said pivotal axis of said pivotal member.
 4. An improved feeding device according to claim 1, wherein said follower arm is provided with a longitudinal aperture formed through a downward rear end portion thereof and said inner end of said transmitting bar is slidably inserted in said aperture of said follower arm.
 5. In a shuttleless loom having a plurality of yarn supply sources, a dobby or Jacquard mechanism and a pirnless shuttle for carrying out insertion of filling yarns into warp sheds in a reciprocating manner by catching said filling yarn with yarn catching means disposed therein and a pair of shuttle boxes having respective shuttle swells, an improved feeding device of filling yarns comprising in combination, a supporting bracket fixed to a frame of said shuttle box, a front shaft extending outwardly from said supporting bracket, a back shaft extending outwardly from said supporting bracket in substantially parallel condition with said front shaft with an adequate intervening distance between said two, a plurality of bosses turnably mounted on said front shaft, a plurality of yarn guide arms forwardly and downwardly extending from said plurality of bosses and provided with a yarn guide at a forward and downward end thereof respectively, a plurality of springs disposed on said front shaft, a plurality of follower arms rearwardly and downwardly extending from said plurality of bosses respectively, a transmitting bar extending from an inner end of a shuttle swell of said shuttle box and related to a rearward and downward end portion of said pluralIty of follower arms, a plurality of selector arms turnably mounted on said back shaft, a plurality of transmitting rods linked to rear ends of said plurality of selector arms and connected to said dobby or Jacquard mechanism of said loom respectively and a plurality of projections laterally extending under said corresponding yarn guide arms from forward ends of said plurality of selector arms respectively; whereby said selector arm intermittently and periodically putting said corresponding boss in an operable pivotal position overcoming turning torque given by said spring in accordance with corresponding signals transmitted from said dobby of Jacquard mechanism by said corresponding transmitting rod, and, in said operable pivotal position, said box being put in a first subpivotal position to turn said yarn guide arm downwardly around an axis of said bosses by a rearward displacement of said shuttle swell caused by presence of said pirnless shuttle within said shuttle box and put in a second subpivotal position to turn said yarn guide arm upwardly around said axis of said boss by a forward displacement of said shuttle swell caused by absence of said pirnless shuttle within said shuttle box.
 6. An improved feeding device according to claim 5, wherein an inner end portion of said shuttle swell is curved rearwardly whereby a forward end portion of said advancing pirnless shuttle comes in contact with said shuttle swell when a cavity of said pirnless shuttle comes to a position of said yarn guide arm.
 7. An improved feeding device according to claim 5, further comprising a bar extending outwardly from an outside stem of said supporting bracket and contacting rear sides of said follower arms, thereby excessive turning of said yarn guide arms together with said bosses being prevented.
 8. A shuttle-actuated device for positioning a filling thread comprising: thread-positioning means mounted for movement to a first position wherein a filling thread is positioned out of the path of flight of a shuttle and to a second position wherein said filling thread is positioned to be caught by said shuttle during flight thereof; and shuttle-actuated means actuated by said shuttle during the flight thereof for effecting movement of said thread-positioning means to said second position.
 9. A device according to claim 8; wherein said thread-positioning means comprises a pivotally mounted thread guide arm movable to position said filling thread in said first and second positions; and biasing means continuously biasing said thread-guide arm into contact with said shuttle-actuated means for movement thereby.
 10. A device according to claim 8; wherein said shuttle-actuated means comprises a pivotally mounted lever in contact with said thread-positioning means; biasing means for biasing said lever in a first direction to effect movement of said thread-positioning means to said first position when said shuttle-actuated means is not actuated; and means pivotally mounting said lever in said path of flight of said shuttle for pivotal movement in a second direction to effect movement of said thread-positioning means to said second position in response to movement of said shuttle during the flight thereof.
 11. A device according to claim 10; wherein said thread-positioning means comprises a pivotally mounted thread guide arm movable to position said filling thread in said first and second positions; and means continuously biasing said thread guide arm into contact with said pivotally mounted lever for movement thereby. 